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| Smoked this colony right before the pollen patty went on. The bees were peeking from between the frames looking for a scrumptious pollen patty to eat. |
The hives are currently on spring build up. The queen is laying and new brood has been hatching out. Colonies have been eating pollen patties, being that it has been too cool for bees to get out and forage for pollen.
The cool weather has slowed pollen bearing trees from budding out. As our temperatures warm up, more pollen will be coming available. Pollen patties need to be on the hive for colonies to have a steady supply of pollen substitute. Without pollen the bees may not even have any brood going in the hive. Pollen patties are cheap insurance that a colony will continue to build up.
Feeding syrup is on an as needed basis. If the bees need honey, feed syrup. Don't over feed. It would be a shame if a hive starved from lack of attention from the beekeepers. As the temperatures warm stronger colonies will be occupying more and more of a multi story colony. Usually around April first beekeepers usually do a reversal. The purpose of the reversal is to give the queen more room to lay. By spreading the brood throughout the colony will bring a larger population to a properly managed colony. Keep the pollen patties on and hope for warmer weather.
